First orders at the bar for couple after pub hopes were hit by virus
A COUPLE who were poised to fulfil their dream of opening a pub when the coronavirus lockdown was imposed are looking forward to opening fully for the first time.
Mark and Cheryl Bates moved from Birmingham to Bridlington to open up a new micro-pub, the Three B’s, which was about to launch in the spring before lockdown measures scuppered their plans.
The pub opened as a takeaway and delivery service on April 30 and has been operating in that fashion ever since.
Now, under new government guidelines, customers will finally be allowed to sit inside for a pint for the first time.
Mr Bates, 49, said: “We’re looking forward to it, very, very much so.
“I’ve had so many people who have either become regular customers from takeouts or people who’ve come in to have a look around, and we’re looking forward to seeing them at noon on July 4.”
Mr Bates worked in the rail industry for 30 years, but has a passion for beer – he and his wife are members of the Campaign for Real Ale and he has organised a number of beer festivals.
They arrived in Bridlington at the beginning of March, having sold their home in Birmingham and invested their savings in the pub and a bed and breakfast, a plan which had been two years in the making.
“We’ve got a lot of debt at the moment which we need to clear as soon as we can,” Mr Bates said. “Financially, it’s been very difficult.
“We spent two years being quite prudent being between jobs and having difficulty selling our house, then we come here and have all this.
“But hopefully now we can try and reap the reward, and hopefully have lots of people in the pub drinking, subject to government restrictions.”
The couple have been unable to access any government help because the business was not up and running by the time the lockdown was put into action. It will re-open with a capacity of just 10.
The business only sells cask ale and cider, and has no televisions or music.